Where to Buy Puppies?

Looking for a place where to buy puppies? In that case, it's safe to assume that you’ve done your research on how, why and maybe even where to buy puppies; how to take care of them and train puppies, and which dogs are right for your lifestyle.

You know what breed of dog will best fit your needs and the way you live your life. You know you’ve got the time that a puppy requires, and the resources to not only purchase the puppy, but buy all the necessary dog supplies your future dog needs including proper vet care.

If that's all true, it's possible that you're ready to adopt a dog. At this point, you just have to decide where to buy puppies and how to do it properly. It sounds like it will be the easiest part of the entire process, but in fact, choosing where to buy puppies can be much tougher than it sounds.

Is puppy adoption an option?

Adopting a puppy that needs a safe and loving home is one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. Animal shelters and rescue organizations are always overflowing with rescue dogs, both puppies and adult dogs that are looking for a forever home.

If you have room in your home and your heart for one these dogs, you won’t regret it. Most shelters and rescue organizations are full of mutts, but sometimes they do get purebred dogs.

Sometimes, you won't see what you’re looking for at your local shelter, either the type of breed or the age of the dog you're looking for. Start by asking and letting them know what you're interested in. Many dog rescue organizations will take your contact information and let you know if they receive a dog that meets your criteria.

There may not be a rescue for the specific breed that you are interested in around your area, but if you’re willing to travel or make arrangements for the dog to travel to you, then this would be an excellent opportunity to give a puppy the home that he deserves.

Future dog owners who are set on a purebred puppy and don’t have the time to wait for one to come into their local animal rescue shelter, there are also many breed specific rescue organizations out there. You can find information about these groups by doing some quick research online.

Can’t adopt a puppy? Not a problem!

Those who can’t adopt a puppy for whatever reason and would rather purchase a puppy from a breeder, you must be sure to find a responsible one. You should never buy a puppy without seeing where he is coming from, and maybe even meeting his parents.

No matter what papers the breeder has, you need to insist on taking a tour of the environment where the parents were raised and the puppy was born. Papers will only give you information on the puppy’s parents, but they don’t tell you anything about the environment the puppy grew up in or how he was treated.

It is crucial to choose a responsible dog breeder that is concerned for the well-being of the animals. Not all breeders are concerned with helping to control breed specific health issues and temperament problems.

Over-breeding and inbreeding are two common practices that can lead to a lifetime of health issues for your puppy, so you need to be sure to screen your breeder carefully. Most responsible breeders will be screening you too; making sure that each of their pups goes to the best home possible.

There are many organizations, like the American Kennel Club, that provide lists of reputable breeders in every region. With a little research you should be able to find a registered, reputable breeder in your area.

What most potential pet parents do not know is that many breeders do not register with national associations, but they still breed healthy, purebred canines. These breeders are responsible and take great care of their dogs, they just choose not to keep up with the paperwork, regulations, and costs of becoming recognized by national organizations.

Selecting a responsible dog breeder

The best way to tell if a breeder is responsible is to visit their establishment. Any responsible breeder will gladly welcome potential adopters in to visit their puppies, see the environment, and check out the puppy’s parents. When you visit you’ll be able to tell if the puppies are healthy, well-adjusted, and well cared for.

If the breeder you’re working with denies your request to visit, that should be a red flag. Not wanting visitors makes it seem like they have something to hide. Any breeder that tries to keep you away is likely trying to hide some kind of issue with the puppies or their parents.

Another thing to remember is that a responsible breeder will be just as curious about you and your home as you are about them. They’ll have a lot of questions, but don’t worry. Showing an interest in their pup’s new family is a sure sign of a responsible breeder!

Buying a puppy is something to take very seriously. If you don’t choose a respectable breeder your puppy could end up fighting lifelong health issues. Likewise, if you choose the wrong breed of puppy you may end up with a lot of problems because the dog doesn’t fit in well with your environment and lifestyle.

There are a few key things you should keep in mind when selecting a breeder. Most responsible breeders will:

specialize in one breed,

only have one or two litters available at a time, and

know the history of their puppies

If for any reason you get a bad feeling about the breeder or the environment that the puppies are in, don’t hesitate to leave immediately. If the situation is severe enough you should also contact animal control.

If you purchase a puppy just because you feel bad for her and you want to get her out of that environment, all you’re doing is enabling the breeder. You’ll also probably end up with a dog that has some life long health problems. The best thing to do is let animal control shut the situation down completely

Do your research and be sure to screen breeders thoroughly. Don’t be afraid to ask for references, and check them. If you don’t do your homework, you could end up getting a lot more than you bargained for.

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